In the recent rush to legalise sports betting across the US, New Hampshire has become the 16th state to open up to the legislation, after Governor Chris Sununu has signed sports betting bill H 480 onto the statute books.
As part of the new legislation, punters will have the chance to place bets on professional sports and most Division 1 college sports, but not on school events.
“The American Gaming Association applauds Governor Sununu and the New Hampshire legislature for legalizing sports betting, becoming the third previously non-gaming jurisdiction, after Tennessee and Washington DC, to authorize wagering on sports,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA), welcoming the decision.
He added: “New Hampshirites will now have a convenient, secure alternative to the dangerous illegal market that has operated in the state and across the country for decades. I’m encouraged that New Hampshire lawmakers joined their colleagues across the country in rejecting harmful integrity fees and official data mandates that interfere with the legal market’s ability to compete with illegal operators.”
Since the state doesn’t have any casinos or racetracks, the state will permit ten retail locations, as well as five mobile betting licenses. Regulation will be meted out by the State Lottery Commission.
In terms of projected revenues, policy makers in the state are aiming to generate circa $7.5m in 2021, nearly doubling to $13.5m in the following two-year period.
Looking at the timescale for getting sports betting underway, it’s likely that there will be a wait until early 2020 at the soonest, with summer a more realistic prospect. Bidding for the licenses is scheduled for the New Year
